If winter rainfall is around 500 mm, irrigation is applied during and after the kernel hardens. Under low winter rainfall conditions, irrigation is applied:
– When the buds emerge (start of the spring)
– Before flowering (start of the summer)
– While the yield forms and in particular as the kernel hardens.
Irrigation is also applied 2 to 3 weeks before flowering: when the fruit reaches a third of its actual size and when the fruit reaches almost actual size.
For oil production, irrigation must be stopped early enough to give a period of dryness during maturing. This will have little effect on the oil content, but will enable the fruit water content to be reduced.
Irrigation is applied using different surface or localised irrigation methods.
